Extraction, Structures, Bioactivities and Structure-Function Analysis of the Polysaccharides From Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

Abstract

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a herbal plant with a long history of clinical application worldwide, such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea. It is also extensively used as an important oilseed plant for hundreds of years in some countries, like China, India, Mexico and the United States. Therefore, safflower is believed as a crop with dual values of medicine and economy as well. Safflower polysaccharides (SPS), from the plant, are believed as one of the most important biologically active components with multiple pharmacological properties, including anti-tumor, immune regulation, anti-oxidation, and anti-cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury effects. The polysaccharides, from bee pollen of safflower, named PBPC, also attract the attention of researchers because of their particular origin and bioactivities. Although the extraction, purification, structure and biological activities of SPS and PBPC have been studied for decades, there is not any available review both concerning SPS and PBPC. In this condition, this paper aims to systematically review the research progress in extraction, purification, structural characteristics, and bioactivities of SPS and PBPC, and provide basis for the in-depth study about their structure-bioactivity relationship. It will serve as a methodological outline for further research in fields of new drug discovery and clinical application of SPS or PBPC, and simultaneously remind us of unresolved problems noted in the polysaccharide research.

Purification, Characterization and Bioactivities of Polysaccharides Extracted from Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

“…Safflower ( Carthamus tinctorius L.) is an herbal plant in the family of Compositae , which is cultivated extensively in Central Asia [ 1 , 2 ]. In the traditional medicine of many Asia countries, safflower is primarily used to alleviate joint pain, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain, and blood stasis by promoting blood circulation [ 1 ].…”

“…In the traditional medicine of many Asia countries, safflower is primarily used to alleviate joint pain, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain, and blood stasis by promoting blood circulation [ 1 ]. Modern pharmacological studies have proved that safflower has multiple biological effects, such as antioxidation, antiinflammation, antitumor, and immunomodulatory [ 2 ]. These biological effects are closely related to the bioactive components in safflower, such as polysaccharides, pigments, alkaloids, flavonoids, etc.…”

“…These biological effects are closely related to the bioactive components in safflower, such as polysaccharides, pigments, alkaloids, flavonoids, etc. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ].…”

Daphnoretin from Carthamus tinctorius as a Potential Inflammatory Inhibitor in COVID-19 by Binding to Toll-like Receptor-4: An in silico Molecular Docking Study

“…Carthamus tinctorius, also known as safflower, plants that are native in many countries with dry and barren climates, has been used empirically in many diseases, including in respiratory diseases such as whooping cough and chronic bronchitis [14], [15]. The previous animal studies had five shown that Hydroxysafflor Yellow A (HSYA), a bioactive compound of C. tinctorius, may promote an anti-inflammatory state in afflicted tissues by boosting anti-inflammatory cytokines and M2 macrophages (an anti-inflammatory phenotype) [16], [17], [18], [19].…”

Non-medicinal parts of safflower (bud and stem) mediated sustainable green synthesis of silver nanoparticles under ultrasonication: optimization, characterization, antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer potential

“…41,42 In China, the flowers of safflower are widely used in Chinese herbal preparations due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, and they contain vitamins A and E, polyunsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid, and other biologically active substances in large quantities. 43–46 The progression of some diseases like myopia (especially in children), trachoma, senile cataracts, symptoms of depression, cardiovascular disease and skin tumors have been successfully retarded by safflower or its mixtures with other herbs. 47,48 On the basis of its ingredients and medicinal effects, safflower has been used to fabricate bioactive AgNPs.…”